Other conditions decisions — 2016

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for left thumb sprain is granted, effective May 26, 2011.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded it for further development, including a VA examination to address the etiology of his sleep disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of right hand grip weakness or bilateral leg numbness, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of $10,820.90 for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 33, Title 38, of the United States Code due to fault on the part of the Veteran and lack of undue hardship.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastric carcinoma and left eye disability were denied due to lack of entitlement under the law. The effective dates for these determinations are not affected by this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and updated treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral arterial disease was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected ischemic heart disease, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims were granted with an initial disability rating of 20 percent for injuries to Muscle Group XI and Muscle Group XVII, as well as a separate noncompensable rating for neurologic impairment of the left leg. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's cholinergic urticaria was granted an initial 10 percent rating effective May 28, 2011. The condition is manifested by recurrent episodes of rash occurring at least four times during a previous 12-month period that responds to treatment with antihistamines.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for cicatricial pemphigoid, which he claims was caused by chemical exposure during his military service. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's condition and his alleged in-service exposures.

The Veteran's right hip disability was rated at 30 percent prior to November 14, 2011 and increased to 70 percent from September 12, 2014 onwards. The decision granted the higher rating of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a grant of service connection for PDS of the eyes, as the Veteran's current disability does not have a link or nexus with his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's spindle cell sarcoma is related to his herbicide exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a nose fracture is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is eligible for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 33, Title 38, United States Code (Post-9/11 G.I. Bill) for a course of study at the West Seattle Training Center from December 2013 to February 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for impaired glucose tolerance, neurological symptoms of the left upper extremity, bone edema of the right lower extremity, and non-specific joint pain were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's laryngeal disability is not service-connected and the Board finds that it did not result from VA care. The Veteran experienced vocal cord paralysis as a direct consequence of his carotid artery surgery, which was foreseen by the medical team.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 22, 1998 for the award of service connection for a right eye disability was denied. The earliest possible effective date is July 22, 1998.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of heat stroke as there is no current evidence of a disability or symptoms related to this incident.